Contributed by Dr. Ashok Tamhankar & Dr. Nishtha Khatri
It has been recently discovered that an ultra-thin 2D material unit is effective against a broad range of drug-resistant bacteria as well as fungi. This material has a coating of black phosphorus which has been known to have antibacterial and antifungal properties even against drug resistant strains in lieu of its cellular oxidising properties. While we often recognise the burden of bacterial infections, the burden of fungal infections too cannot be ignored as can be seen with the rising incidence of Aspergillus in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. This novel ultra thin invention could be seen as a novel superbug destroying coating that might be used in wound dressings and implants providing a new hope against drug resistant strains.
